Can You Breastfeed with Breast Implants?

If you think about Chicago breast augmentation and plan to have children, you may wonder if you can still breastfeed. The good news is most women who have breast implants can breastfeed, but there are some things to keep in mind.

First, how easy it is to breastfeed depends on the state of the breasts before you have implants. Also, the type of incision used matters. Breast implants can affect how much breast milk the breasts produce, but some women find implants don’t affect the milk supply.

You also might worry whether breastfeeding will harm the implants. Most women’s breasts change in shape and size when pregnant and if they breastfeed.

Breastfeeding does not affect breast implants, but remember that the size and appearance of your breasts may change.

Below is more information about how implants may affect breastfeeding.

How Implants Affect Breastfeeding

Your surgeon will probably put the breast implants behind the milk glands or beneath the chest muscle. So the milk supply isn’t distributed. But the depth and length of your incisions can affect breastfeeding.

Breast augmentation surgery that doesn’t involve the areola isn’t as likely to cause breastfeeding problems.

Also, the nerves around the nipples play a vital role in the breastfeeding process. The feeling of the baby sucking the breast boosts hormone levels, which triggers additional milk production.

If those nerves are damaged during breast augmentation, you won’t feel much sensation in the nipples. That’s the reason incisions under the breast or through the belly button or armpit are less problematic if you want to breastfeed.

Breastfeeding With Implants And Safety

It’s safe to breastfeed your baby when you have breast implants. The CDC hasn’t reported any safety problems when women with silicone implants breastfeed their babies. Studies haven’t shown any sign that silicone from implants leaks into breast milk.

There also isn’t evidence of a higher risk of congenital disabilities in babies whose mothers had breast implants.

But you should know that silicone and saline breast implants have safety risks. While these risks are small, you should review them with your plastic surgeon:

• Revision breast surgery may be needed to remove the implants or correct a previous surgery
• Capsular contracture, which is when the scar capsule around the implant contracts, leading to uneven or contorted breast appearance
• Changes in nipple or breast sensation
• Chronic breast pain
• Implant rupture

Breastfeeding Tips If You Have Breast Implants

Now that you know it’s possible and safe to breastfeed with breast implants, how can you improve your breastfeeding experience?

Anticipation

Experts say you shouldn’t wait to feed until you hear the baby cry. You can anticipate when they want to eat by looking for these signs:

• Turning or raising their head several times
• Opening and closing their mouth
• Sticking out their tongue
• Sucking on things that are nearby

You should offer the breast right away if you notice your baby exhibiting these signs. Experts note that the baby is happy in this situation that they don’t need to cry to get attention. And this can improve the bond with your baby over the coming months.

Get Comfortable

When you bring your baby home, you’ll spend plenty of time holding the baby to your breasts as they feed. However, if you don’t have enough physical support, it will quickly become uncomfortable. Also, trying to hold the baby in an uncomfortable position can cause shoulder and back pain.

It’s recommended to either lie on your side with the baby facing you or sit in a recliner with the baby lying in your arms.

Relax

Some new mothers are nervous when they breastfeed with implants, thinking they may not be able to do it. It’s essential to relax because the baby will know if you feel nervous. Then they won’t latch on the breast correctly.

Before you start to feed, take a few breaths and try to relax. Also, choose a quiet part of your home to breastfeed without stress or distractions.

Help The Baby Get In Position

As you learn to breastfeed the baby, it will find the most comfortable position for them. Take note of this position to make the process easier next time. Of course, all babies are a bit different, but there are some general tips you can use to find the ideal position:

• The baby should be in a position, so the mouth is the same level as the nipple.
• The baby shouldn’t need to turn its head.
• The head should be slightly tilted to the rear.
• Try to get your baby to latch onto the whole areola and not only the nipple.
• The baby’s chin should be against the breast, and the nose should be clear.

The good news is most women with breast implants can breastfeed if they wish. Any amount of breast milk you can provide to your baby helps, and supplementing with formula if needed is always an option. Talk to your surgeon or physician about breastfeeding if you have additional questions.

If you decide to have a Chicago breast lift, you may want to wait until you build your family. Being pregnant will cause the breasts to change size, which may undo the breast lift, requiring revision surgery later.

Many women wait until they are done with having children and then have a Chicago mommy makeover. This is a set of procedures that usually focuses on the abdomen and breasts to transform the patient’s body after childbirth and breastfeeding. Chicago liposuction and a Chicago thigh lift are popular options.

Request A Breast Augmentation Consultation

Thinking about breast augmentation in Chicago? Dr. Otto Placik is proud to serve Chicago area patients at his practice. He’ll go over the options, goals, and more to determine if you’re an ideal candidate for breast augmentation.

 References

Breast Implant Illness Overview. (n.d.). Accessed at https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/maternal-or-infant-illnesses/breast-surgery.html

12 Best Breastfeeding Tips. (2020). Accessed at https://www.mustelausa.com/blogs/mustela-mag/the-12-best-breastfeeding-tips-for-new-mothers

Can You Breastfeed With Implants? (2021). Accessed at https://www.healthline.com/health/parenting/can-you-breastfeed-with-implants